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Lightning is software controlled smart port. It is totally capable of routing any signal the iPhone can produce. So a simple software update will support whatever changes to Lightning Apple introduces. When I plugged my Lightning headphone adapter into my SE, I initially received the message that it was not compatible, which required me to upgrade to iOS 10. That would not have been necessary unless Apple changed something about their MFi specs, as they already have published specs for Lightning audio. So it should have just worked. The fact that it didn't means Apple wasn't following their own MFi specs, or CHANGED them. There is no difference in the sound from my headphone jack to the adapter. Since we know the iPhone 7 uses the same DAC chipset as the 6s, that would seem to suggest they intend to output a higher quality analogue signal than the iPhone 7 actually needs. The presence of 3 amps is highly suspect as well.

In other words, do both have 7 wires, connecting in the same configuration, and if so, are the remote controls a simple analogue ground short variety like the 3.5mm pair, or are they actual digital controls, as featured with the Audeze Sine Lightning headphones remote?

This also makes me think the amp in the Lightning adapter is compromised to provide headphone and line level output, while the Earbuds probably have a custom amp for providing optimal headphone output. That may be why there are two different chips.

It seems like the EarPods maintain discrete ground wires for all 3 signal lines out of the amp, as well as the common ground, but combines them for any headphones plugged into the adapter jack. Does this mean the Lightning EarPods are providing balanced lines throughout? Whereas the adaptor is an unbalanced converter?

These 7 wires still have to be resolved onto four conductors of the TRRS jack of the adapter. So that means that of the four conductors, L, R, Mic, & Ground, only the L, R & Mic are discreet. The ground sleeve is where the L-, R-, & Mic-, must converge. So essentially 4 out of 7 wires are common ground in this adapter.

So what would happen if I cut off the EarPods, and took the 4 wires and connected them to a TRS jack for attaching a pair of basic stereo headphones with TRS plug? I'd combine both negative L & R wires to the common ground. Basically converting a basic headphone into one with a remote and Mic. Would this result in any loss of quality?

@oldturkey03 -- thanks for the link. That does help explain what's happening. But they still have to be resolved onto four conductors of the TRRS jack of the adapter. So that means that of the four conductors, L, R, Mic, & Ground, only the L, R & Mic are discreet. The ground sleeve is where the L-, R-, & Mic-, must converge. So essentially 3 out of 7 wires are common ground in this adapter?

It seems like the EarPods maintain discreet ground wires for all 3 signal lines out of the amp, as well as the common ground, but combines them for any headphones plugged into the adapter jack. Does this mean the Lightning EarPods are providing balanced lines throughout? Whereas the adaptor is an unbalanced converter?

Yes, that third amp is a significant discovery implying a major change to Apple's MFi specs. In which case its a huge reversal of position, and will lead to a flood of cheap analogue audio products previously not possible, not to mention significant confusion as to just exactly what a "Lightning" equipped product means. My adapter didn't work on my SE until I updated to iOS 10. That shouldn't have been necessary as Apple already has published Lightning audio specs -- unless they changed something significant. So suddenly its not an inexpensive digital adapter with a DAC and amp, its a very expensive port connector changer.

I've had one of these adapters since Thursday -- if I had know it was going to take this long, I would have just torn mine down and published the results on my own blog! The reveal of the third amp is a serious indicator Apple has modified its MFi specs, and now allows analogue output from Lightning. That's a HUGE deal.